Bridle-blinder



(No Model.)

A. PEARL.

BRIDLE BLINDER.

No. 394,389. Patented Dec, 11, 1888.

wizwms. 6. 624mm:

aw Jew/g1 fit/e7 N. PETERS. Phnlo-hlhngmphcn Wuhmgmn, Dv C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH PEARL, OF NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, ()F ONE-HALF TO THOMAS L. CRITTENDEN, OF \VESTFIELD, NEXV YORK.

BRlDLE-BLINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,389, dated December 11, 1888.

Application filed January 23, 1888. 8erial No. 261,697. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ADOLPH PEARL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Horse-Blinds, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple means to prevent horses from running away or becoming uncontrollable when in harness by temporarily obstructing or suspending the view of objects about him. This object I accomplish by my invention, which consists in a roller-shaft controlled by a spring axially supported lengthwise of the face between the animals eyes, and carrying a pair of lateral expansible or extensible shades, with means for rolling such shades upon the roller-shaft common to both shades and for extending them outwardly at the will of the driver simultaneously over the animals eyes, so as to cut off vision and thereby reduce the animal to submission and control, the whole being adapted for use with a bridle, head-stall, or halter.

It also consists in providing a grooved strap as a housing forthe operative parts and their supports; also in a more simple arrangement of the leaders, whereby friction or wear is reduced and loops or double face-crossings are avoided; also in a novel arrangement and combination of the several parts to adapt them as a whole for attachment to or incorporation with other portions of a harness, head-stall, bridle, or halter, whether or not the same be provided with cheek-pieces.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my roller-blinders, of which Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 shows a bridle having ordinary blinders,G G, provided also with my device; A A, shades; I), grooved strap shell or housing; 0, roller-shaft; D, coiled spring; H, groove; E E, shade-leaders; F F, terminal attachment.

The roller-shaft C- and its terminal flat coiled-spring device D are similarto the ordinary devices used for rolling-shafts of the common window roller-shades, and are so well understood as to need no further description. It is axially supported at each end, so as to be capable of rotation in both directions without a check-clutch. The axial supports are incorporated or attached to the housing when one is employed or to the facial strap or strip which maintains the device in position between the animals eyes. To the rollershaft a strip of any suitable pliable fabricsuch as highly-glazed silk or enameled cloth of sufficient dimensions to extend outwardly and cover the eyesis medially attached at right angles to the length of the shaft, so as to form two shades on the sides of the shaft, as shown at A A, Fig. 1, capable of being rolled simultaneously centrally upon the shaft when not in use, and of being drawn out wardly at each side over the animals eyes and in such close proximity thereto as to exclude light and prevent vision.

In practice I slip the shaft into a closelyfitting socket provided for that purpose in the strip, so that the shades shall be diainet- 4 rically opposite to each other on the shaft. The two shades may each be attached on opposite sides of the shaft in any other manner without changing the result, so long as they partake of the motion of the shaft when it rotates. The outer edges of the shades are preferably re-enforced by a plaited fold of the fabric, or in any other manner which shall stiffen such edges and prevent wrinkling the shades when drawn by the leaders. Such reenforce also conceals within it one of the ends of its leader, which is attached thereto at such convenient point as shall not interfere or come in contact with sensitive portions of the face or eyes when the shades are being extended. The leaders are preferably of silk or linen cord, of a size and strength sufficient to bear the strain and wear of use. They are respectively rove on the most adjacent side strap or cheek-strap through suitable openings or ordinary running attachments provided therefor to lessen friction at such convenient points as shall extend the shades without wrinkling and without injury to the animal. Such points are preferably a little above and a 100 little below the eyes. In cases where there are no side or cheek strapsas,for instance, in haltersthe leaders are rove in like manner in the throat-strap; thence they are led directly to any point within the control of the driver, with or independently of the reins, as may be preferred; but in the case of their application to a head-stall alone, without other portions of a harness, they are. united at such length beyond the roving openings or attachments as to permit the shades to be rolled upon the shaft when at rest, and either on top the head or under the throat, as may be preferred as most convenient. In cases where such device is used with a saddle the former position is better, and in case of a halter the latter is more accessible and less liable to accidental injury. In harness the leaders are run coupled to the reins in suitable movable leaders, whereby they are practically concealed and terminate in a bight or loop within reach of the driver, or the leaders may be united, as above described, near the animals head, and a single leader extended therefrom along the back of the horse to a like convenient point for use.

The roller device is maintained centrally in positionupon the animals face and lengthwise thereof. This may be done by means of any suitable attachments at each end, or preferably by stiffening the supporting strip or housing at the top to keep the same immovable. WVhere a housing is not used, the axial supports of the shaft are fixedly attached to the strip; but where a housing is employed for concealment or protection the axial supports maybe and preferably are incorporated with it, whether with or without an under strip, as the housing in either case presents apertures on both sides sufficient to permit the free passage and operation of the shades.

The housing is made of any suitable materialsuch as leather or metal, preferably of sheet metal-struck up or embossed to present interiorly a groove for holding the roller shaft and shades. The supporting housing or strip may be manufactured as a part of a bridle, head-stall, or halter; but itis intended also to manufacture it as a separate article for attachment thereto in the ordinary way, as a buckled strap, or in any other suitable manner, by which it maybe attached or detached at Will.

hold, and the shades maintained extended.

Upon releasing the leaders the shades under the rotative action of the spring roll up simultaneously upon their common shaft without the driver descending to adjust them.

I am aware that devices provided with ribbed exteriors like. a ladys fan have been heretofore in use, and that roller-shades with direct leaders upon both sides of the face, as in Patent No. 217,913, of July 29, 1879, have been employed for like purposes; and I disclaim the same, as therein described and shown, as they are not my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the central rotary shaft, 0, provided with suitable axial supports, actuating-spring extensible shades A A, and leaders E E, with suitable head-harness to maintain the whole in position, substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

2. As an article of manufacture for horses harness, a shutter provided with a central rotary shaft axially supported, a coiling spring, and a pliable strip medially connected to such shaft and rotatable therewith, but laterally extensible, together with leading-cords to operate the whole as blinders, substantially as described.

ADOLPH PEARL.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY B. CRossETT, GEORGE H. WILD, Jr. 

